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Overwhelming Love and Forgiveness

I have a little personality quirk - I don't know where it came from, but it's wearing me down. No matter what I do, I don't think it's good enough. No matter how hard I try, I don't believe I've tried hard enough. No matter how much approval I receive, it's never enough. I have an overreactive guilt complex.

When a beloved professor encouraged me to pray that God would overwhelm me with His love and forgiveness, I began to pray. I thought I knew about God's forgiveness. He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins...I would recite monotonously. I thought I knew about God's love - John 3:16 said it all, didn't it?

.
But as I began to pray, love poured out, not little drips of love sparinginly sent down from above, but splashes from a waterfall refreshing my soul. He loves me! He loves me when I fail, He loves me in my imperfections, He loves me at the deepest part of my soul

The never-good-enough part of me still lingers around here sometimes, but the forgiveness overwhelms me, at times, taking my breath away. She who has been forgiven much loves much. Every small infraction, every huge blooper is erased in His amazing love and forgiveness.

I'm overwhelmed! And I'm so thankful.



For more thankful hearts today, visit Lynn at Unequal Marriage.
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Comments

Cheryl said…
I have the same quirk! I am not as bad as I used to be but it sometimes takes over and I hate it! Thanks for sharing. God Bless!
January 2, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Melanie said…
Such a wonderful post!
January 2, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Anonymous said…
"She who has been forgiven much loves much."

You wrote that so beautifully that all I can say is "Amen!"
January 2, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Denise said…
I enjoyed this post, bless you.
January 3, 2008 at 5:07 AM
Unknown said…
Me too! Overwhelmed and thankful!
January 3, 2008 at 7:10 AM
Lady Why said…
His mercies are new every morning, aren't they?! Thank you for sharing what you're learning!!
January 3, 2008 at 8:03 AM
ellen b. said…
Heather, Praying right now for you that you will continue to see his love and acceptance and that you will have a knee jerk reaction and say no to the guilt that tries to creep back into your heart and mind!
January 3, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Ann said…
Amen! Overwhelmed and thankful is great!
January 3, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Susan said…
Happy TT Heather!

As always I so enjoy your posts. Your honesty is touching.

I always leave here with something to ponder.

I pray those waterfalls continue to refresh you daily.
January 3, 2008 at 10:17 AM
lori said…
can I be in the club too????
where in the world does THAT come from...I know, really...

You have me copying into my journal
"she who had been forgiven much loves much."

well, its good to see that there are at least 3 of us out there who just can't seem to do enough...I've heard that Mother Teresa suffered the same 'quirk,' imagine THAT....
the only place to go is to that cross...
thankful today that you posted this...
I needed it!!
love you!
lori
January 3, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Susan said…
I can't believe I just read this. I am always feeling like I am messing everything up. I feel like I don't have a faith like other's but I love the Lord so much sometimes it hurts. Thank you so much for this you don't understand how God used you today to bless a total stranger.
Be Blessed, Susan
January 3, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Anonymous said…
I loved this post and the reference to a waterfall. Isn't it wonderful He forgives us and forgets out sins as if they had never been. No if only we could do the same for ourselves.
I hope He pores out many blessings on you this week.
Mama Bear
January 3, 2008 at 1:03 PM
bp said…
I enjoyed reading. Thanks.
January 3, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Anonymous said…
What you said is so true. I also feel not good enough at times. But when we pray, we are showed of how we are in His eyes.

Happy New Year!
January 3, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Ms. Kathleen said…
Amen! God is so good! Forgiveness is such an act of mercy and love. Amen!

Hugs!
January 3, 2008 at 5:59 PM
sharon brobst said…
Oh Heather ....thank you!((hug))
January 3, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Tami said…
I praise God for His diving healing. May He touch us all with His confidence.
January 3, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Lysa TerKeurst said…
I think most women can totally relate to your quirk. Most of us have it but no one is talking about it. Thanks for stepping out!
Sweet, sweet blessings to you!
January 3, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Aunt Angie said…
Heather...this is the second reminder to me today of God's forgiveness of our blunders and mistakes....this was such a blessing! Thank you for sharing such encouraging words to ponder over the weekend!!!
January 3, 2008 at 8:59 PM
eph2810 said…
I so know that you mean Heather. Sometimes His love and forgiveness is so overwhelming to me that tears stream down my face. Happened again this morning on my way to work - makes it hard to drive...but it is refreshing like a waterfall.

Thank yo so much for sharing your grateful and overwhelmed heart with us this week.

Blessings to you and yours in 2008 and beyond.
January 3, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Unknown said…
Heather,

Wow.... This is me. This post I understand and feel it too.

I am overwhelmed!!!

I love you.
January 4, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Melissa in Mel's World said…
Oh my gosh...are you reading my mind? Seriously, I have thought that I was the ONLY one who has struggle with this. The stinky thing is that as a Pastor I have ministered to, loved on, prayed with, and encouraged others but deep in the pit I still believe I am not enough for Him.

Thanks for sharing your heart!
January 5, 2008 at 2:29 PM
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